Apparatus for picking up objects randomly distributed on a surface

Abstract

A method and apparatus for picking up objects randomly distributed on a surface, for example nuts on the ground, in which a wheel made up of a plurality of coaxially mounted, flexible cylindrical discs separated by flexible spacers is rotated over the ground so that nuts become wedged in the spaces between adjacent discs and rotate with the wheel. Ejector rods fixed to a handle eject the wedged nuts into a basket pivotably mounted on the handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for picking up objects randomly distributed on a surface comprising: a plurality of thin flexible cylindrical discs having a given diameter;   a plurality of spacers of softer and more flexible material than said discs;   means for mounting said discs coaxially for rotation and thereby rolling movement over said surface with at least one spacer between adjacent discs so that said discs are separated at their periphery and flexibly displaced from adjacent discs to wedge said objects therebetween as said discs are rolled over said objects and the wedged objects thereafter rotate with said discs; and   means for removing said wedged objects from between said discs.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said spacers are cylindrical and have a diameter less than the diameter of said discs. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said spacers are thicker then said discs. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said discs are plastic and said spacers are foam rubber. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as in claim 1 further including a basket for receiving and holding objects removed from said discs. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as in claim 5 further including a handle connected to said mounting means for manually pushing said apparatus and wherein said basket and removing means are mounted on said handle. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for picking up nuts on the ground comprising: a wheel made up of a plurality of coaxially mounted, flexible, cylindrical discs separated by spacers of softer and more flexible material than said discs;   a frame mounting said wheel for rotation over the ground so that nuts become wedged in the space between adjacent discs as said adjacent discs are forced apart by the nuts and thereafter rotate with said wheel;   means on said frame and extending into the spaces between adjacent discs at a location above the ground for ejecting wedged nuts from said spaces; and   basket means on said frame for receiving and holding the ejected nuts.   
     
     
       8. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said spacers are cylindrical and have a diameter less than the diameter of said discs. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said spacers are thicker than said discs. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said discs are plastic and said spacers are foam rubber. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as in claim 7 further including a basket for receiving and holding objects removed from said discs. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as in claim 11 further including a handle connected to said frame for manually pushing said apparatus and wherein said basket and ejecting means are mounted on said handle. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for harvesting nuts on the ground comprising: a wheel made up of a plurality of flexible cylindrical discs separated by flexible spacers, said discs and spacers each having a central bore and an axle extending through said bores for coaxially mounting said discs and spacers, said spacers being of softer and more flexible material than said discs;   a handle attached to the ends of said axle for manually rotating said wheel over the ground so that nuts become wedged in the spaces between adjacent discs as said discs are forced apart by the nuts and thereafter rotate with the wheel;   a plurality of rods mounted from said handle and each extending into one of said spaces for ejecting a wedged nut therefrom; and   a basket attached to said handle for receiving and holding nuts ejected from said spaces.   
     
     
       14. An apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said basket is pivotably attached to said handle for pivotable movement to a dumping position. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said discs are formed of plastic and said spacers of a foam rubber thicker than said discs. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus for picking up objects randomly distributed on a surface comprising: a plurality of thin flexible cylindrical discs having a given diameter;   a plurality of spacers of softer material and more flexible material than said discs;   a shaft for mounting said discs and spacers co-axially for rotation and rolling movement over said surface with at least one spacer between adjacent discs so that said discs are separated at their periphery and flexibly displaced from adjacent discs to wedge said objects therebetween as said discs are rolled over said objects and the wedged objects thereafter rotate with said discs;   first and second handle members extending respectively at one end from opposite ends of said shaft and having handles at the other end for manually grasping to move said apparatus;   a first bracket extending between said handle members at a location between the ends thereof;   a plurality of rods mounted from said first bracket and each extending into one of said spaces for ejecting a wedged nut therefrom;   a basket pivotably mounted at one end to said first and second handle members adjacent said other end thereof for manual rotation about a basket axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said shaft; and   a second bracket attached to and extending from said first bracket for supporting the other end of said basket so that objects ejected by said rods fall into said basket and said basket can be dumped by manually lifting said basket upward from said second bracket and rotating said basket around said basket axis.